We became a group early in 2007 as a result of the County Judge Executive and Animal Control Officer's request for community support. We are a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Our mission is three-fold: 1) Saving the lives of homeless and abandoned pets; 2) Reducing the number of unwanted litters in our community (in turn, reducing the number of animals in the pound; and 3) Educating our community about responsible pet ownership.
Since 2007, we have rescued and placed nearly 1200 animals from Powell County. A large part of this is done by networking with rescue groups in northern states. Unlike Kentucky, the spay and neuter laws in those states are so effective that their shelters have lists of people waiting for pets. Plus, it is actually cost-effective for people in those states to adopt from us, reimbursing us for vetting. This situation has been quite fortuitous for hundreds of animals in our community! Volunteers transport animals to meeting locations where volunteers from the destination rescues pick them up to take them to the next step in finding forever homes. Thank you to Rogers Rescue, Safe Haven, DAWS, Fuzzy Face, and transport volunteers (among others).
As part of our effort to reduce the number of unwanted litters, we conduct six low-cost spay and neuter clinics every year. Since our inception, we have altered approximately 800 animals and are working toward our next clinic. The effects of the clinics are exponential. In six years, ONE dog and her puppies can be the source of 67,000 puppies. In seven years, ONE cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens. Powell County has a population of only approximately 13,000 PEOPLE. The numbers make the importance of spaying and neutering palpably obvious (as well as the reason that we have kill shelters)! Thank you Woodstock Animal Foundation, Susan Miller and Clay City Elementary, the Stanton Volunteer Fire Department, our many volunteers, and especially all the pet owners who have participated!
In order to educate our community, we have been present at community events and have been fortunate to be able to visit our local schools. We want everyone to know the importance of spaying, neutering, and adopting. Many people do not realize that any breed can be rescued! Many pure-bred dogs are abandoned at the pound as a result of over-breeding. Animals in rescue are not there because they are bad -- they are there because of irresponsible pet owners. And their gratitude makes them the best pets. Always adopt -- everyone wins!
Through our fund-raising efforts, including grants that we've applied for and received from various corporations, we have provided the pound with dog houses, medications, vaccinations, Kuranda beds, litter boxes, food, litter, toys, exercise pens, collars, and leashes. We have rented vans for transports and paid for fuel. We thank everyone who has donated money and supplies, fostered, purchased our calendars and other items, and participated in our Kroger card program. We welcome new participants to the Kroger card program. Every time one of the cards is reloaded, Kroger donates 4% to us. This is the only regular "income" that we have because adoption fees only cover the expense of vetting. Ask us about participating! It is "free money" for what you spend anyway! We also always need foster homes for pound animals. Animals who are selected by northern rescues or sponsors or who have special needs (illness, pregnancy, blindness, deafness, injury, etc.) are kept in local foster homes where they are nursed to health and saved from euthanization, which would often be their fate if left in the pound. We are grateful for our fosters and sponsors!
We are very excited that Powell County has been awarded a grant from our state to build a new shelter. Currently, we have a pound. There is a difference. When we have a shelter, it will be required to follow guidelines for hygiene and alterations. It will be subject to oversight from the state (see Kentucky Revised Statute 258.119). Many, many thanks to Darren Farmer, Teresa Stidham, and Susan Lacy. They toiled to achieve this! We are sad that our community needs a facility for homeless animals, but until there is not a need, we are eager for something nicer than what currently exists.
We are proud of our accomplishments of the last four years. We have seen the number of animals in the pound decline. Nonetheless, it is still occupied by homeless animals. Many residents of Powell County still do not prioritize spaying and neutering and allow their dogs and cats to breed, sometimes intentionally. The economy has increased the homeless population, also. We hope that you will help us spread the word about our efforts and the importance of spaying, neutering, and adopting. And, of course, we always welcome new volunteers!
